Marcos hastens SEA’s largest dialysis center

FACILITY RISING Photo shows National Kidney and Transplant Center, future site of the biggest dialysis center in Southeast Asia.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday directed the immediate completion of the new Hemodialysis Building at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), which is set to become the largest dialysis center in Southeast Asia.

Once completed by the end of 2027, the 13-story HD Legacy Building being built on a 2,900-square-meter lot at the NKTI compound along East Avenue in Quezon City will be able to accommodate up to 200 dialysis patients simultaneously.

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READ: Marcos eyes 2027 completion of Southeast Asia’s largest dialysis hub

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“We’re speeding up the process. Before, funding was released in small increments, which meant the work couldn’t be accelerated. So we changed the system by providing the full funding upfront. That way, while work is still ongoing on the lower floors and the finishing hasn’t been completed yet, construction on the upper floors can already begin,” Mr. Marcos said after inspecting the site.

The President noted that 11 percent of Filipinos suffer from kidney disease, underscoring the need to expand services for patients.

The latest studies released in 2025 estimate that about 12.94 million Filipinos suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a prevalence rate reported at 35.94 percent, significantly higher than the global average of 9.1 to 13.4 percent.

Department of Health data shows that the number of patients undergoing dialysis has risen sharply to 64,845 in 2024, and is projected to hit 150,000 by 2030.

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“We hope to reduce the number of people with CKD. But until that happens, we’re continuing to build hospitals so we can provide quality care for CKD patients,” the President said.

Equipment up 2027

Mr. Marcos added that equipment installation is expected to begin by early 2027.

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He also reiterated the expanded benefits for kidney disease patients under the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., including coverage for up to 156 hemodialysis sessions annually.

Mr. Marcos also cited the increased Z Benefit Package for peritoneal dialysis, which now ranges from P389,640 to P500,140 per year for adults and from P510,000 to P1.2 million for pediatric patients.

The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste products and excess water from the blood while also helping regulate the body’s sodium levels.

Health Secretary Ted Herbosa previously warned that one Filipino develops CKD every hour, with hypertension, diabetes and smoking among the leading risk factors.

The World Health Organization recommends consuming less than 2 grams of sodium per day, equivalent to about 5 g of salt.

However, Filipinos consume an average of 4 g of sodium or about 10 g of salt daily, increasing their risk of developing CKD.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, early-stage CKD often has no signs or symptoms, making regular screening important, especially for people at risk.

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It recommends maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and managing conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, to help prevent kidney disease.